Cheyenne Weisberg, 13, sits before a birthday cake given to her Saturday. The teen had asked for presents for the animals at the Humane Society of New Hampshire. (DAN SEUFERT PHOTO)

Birthday gifts

Bristol girl collects gifts for shelter dogs, cats at her birthday

By DAN SEUFERTUnion Leader Correspondent

BRISTOL — Saturday's bad weather made it a tough afternoon for drawing people to an event, so 13-year-old Cheyenne Weisberg was not upset when only a handful of people showed up for her birthday party.

But Cheyenne was holding a public birthday party of sorts. She made it known that she did not want any presents, but instead wanted presents for the animals at the New Hampshire Humane Society in Laconia, where she volunteers.

"I honestly don't need anything," she said. "I'd rather the animals have food and toys that they will have at their forever home when they are adopted soon."

She did receive a birthday cake. "That was donated, too," said her mother, Tabitha Weisberg.

Having announced the party for pets at the shelter in a local newspaper, Cheyenne still managed to do well for the animals at the shelter. She received "presents" in the form of about $100 cash and about $200 worth of food and toys.

"I got three bags of cat litter, a lot of canned food, a few boxes of toys and some stainless steel bowls, and lots of other stuff," Cheyenne said. "The animals need these things badly."

"It was a tough day weatherwise," Tabitha Weisberg said. "But with the donations collected prior to Saturday and those that continued to be collected, I would say that it was a success despite mother nature's influence."

A few local businesses, including Bristol Shop 'n' Save, contributed to the effort as well, Tabitha Weisberg said.

After the party, Cheyenne and her mother drove to the shelter and delivered the "presents," which were appreciated at the shelter, Cheyenne said. The animals can't always show their appreciation, but the gifts are needed, she said.

"If I had it my way, I would take all of the animals (at theshelter) home," Cheyenne said.